A New Health Based Approach to Home Care in Ireland

May 17, 2011 - PRLog -- Despite the fact that home care services cater for approximately 12.5% of over 65’s, there are no standards or regulations in the Irish market. This absence of quality standards had created unacceptable risk to home care customers. Responding to recent reports regarding the emergence of sub standard home care services, two Irish nurses have opened Be Independent Home Care. They have carefully recruited and trained a dedicated team of carers to provide one-on-one, assistance, support and care to clients in their home, helping them retain their independence and individuality.

Be Independent Home Care has been founded and is directed and managed by Alice Lucey and Caitriona O Donovan. Both are registered general nurses with experience in caring around the world and have dedicated their entire working career to the provision of top quality healthcare and social care services. Quality of care is at the core of all service provision with Caitriona holding a post graduate qualification in health and safety and Alice a degree in Social Care. Both are passionate believers that every person has the right to remain in their own home by accessing quality care and support.

Caitriona and Alice’s passion for home care began in 1997 when they were both working as nurses for a home care agency in Australia. They were assigned to the same home care case, caring for an elderly couple in their home in Sydney. Both Caitriona and Alice had come from working in care of the elderly services in Ireland where the vast majority of care was being provided in either hospitals or nursing homes. Both nurses felt that this model of care was not providing older people with the dignity and respect that they deserved. Both were impressed with the Australian home care model which helped clients retain their independence, dignity and individuality while remaining in their own home. The experience left both Alice and Caitriona as strong believers in the need to introduce quality home care as a real choice to residential care in Ireland.

As attitudes towards aging, health and wellness evolved here in Ireland, home care services have become more readily available. However while working in their separate roles in healthcare and social care here in Ireland both Caitriona and Alice became increasingly aware of the emergence of sub standard home care services.

Based on this and given their experience and absolute commitment to safe and quality care and their belief that every person has the right to remain in their own home by accessing quality care support Caitriona and Alice opened Be Independent Home Care at the end of 2010.

Be Independent Home Care services range from companionship, personal support, meal preparation, general upkeep of the home, to support for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s. In addition to providing these services for older people, Be Independent Home Care also support clients recovering from illness or injury and younger disabled people.

Be Independent Home Care understand the vast majority of people want to stay in their own home and remain independent and connected to their communities and understand that research shows  people stay healthier and recover more quickly from illness or surgery in the comfort of their own home. Recognising that trust plays a vital part in making the choice to allow a carer into your home, at Be Independent Home Care the careful selection, security vetting and training of the care team is central to all service provision. There is an unwavering focus on matching carer and client, as the success of this relationship is central to the success of the service. Following commencement of the care relationship experienced managers, all of whom are qualified nurses closely supervise each carer and constantly review clients’ needs.

A number of entitlements are available for Home Care support making it a cost effective care solution. These entitlements include Tax relief of up to 41%.

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Be Independent Home Care is a provider of premium Home Care and Home Help services and is owned and managed by Nurses. Be Independent Home Care have trained a dedicated team of qualified carers who provide assistance, support and care to clients in their home. The trusted Home Care and Home Help service is available 365 days a year, from a few hours a day up to 24 hours - seven days a week. Services range from companionship, personal support, meal preparation, general upkeep of the home, to support for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s. In addition to providing these services for older people, Be Independent Home Care also support clients recovering from illness or injury and younger disabled people. Tax relief can be claimed at up to 41% making this an extremely cost effective care solution.